Britain at War - April 2016

Living with the EnemyBrian Bates details what it was like to live in the historic Dorset town of Dorchester after German Prisoners of War had been moved in to a nearby barracks.

Gross Dereliction of DutyIn June 1940 a Boulton Paul Defiant broke up in mid-air and crashed ten days after sustaining damage in battle over Dunkirk. Thankfully, the two crew escaped. Andy Saunders relates the unusual story and investigates the cause.

The Wrong ManA case of mistaken identity with potentially tragic consequences, Steve Snelling highlights the brave career of a British fisherman-turned-hero who narrowly escaped a German death sentence.

Forewarned is ForearmedIn the first part of our 75th anniversary tribute to the Royal Observer Corps, Alexander Nicol details the vital role played by the Corps during the nation’s ‘Finest Hour’ and through to the war’s end.

ReputationsImperial War Museum historian Peter Hart analyses the career and the conduct of Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston during the Gallipoli Campaign and at the Battle of the Somme.

Limping HomeChris Goss presents a set of unusual photographs from the Blitz, depicting battle-damaged German aircraft which made it home by the very narrowest of margins.

REGULARS

NewsNews, restorations, discoveries and events from around the World.

FieldpostYour etters, input and feedback.

Image of WarA photo of the lost property office at a busy London railway station presents a surprising depiction of what was sometimes left behind on wartime trains.

Recon ReportOur editorial team scout out and review new titles, including our ‘Book of the Month’ on the fascinating subject of the Long Range Desert Group.

First World War DiaryIn our monthly look at the key events of the First World War we arrive at April 1916 as the largest surrender of British troops since the American War of Independence takes place and a Nationalist uprising in Ireland poses a serious threat to Britain’s war aims.

War PostersContinuing our recent series, Phil Jarman turns the spotlight on a Woman’s Land Army poster encouraging women to take to the fields and feed Britain.

Great War GallantryThe gallantry awards of April 1916 listed in the London Gazette highlight a newly instituted decoration, the Military Medal, and Lord Ashcroft presents his ‘Hero of the Month’.

The First World War in ObjectsWe take a look at an odd war souvenir – a German bullet extracted from the leg of a wounded soldier.

NEWS FEATURE

War Graves Found and MarkedWe look at two First World War Jewish war graves that have been appropriately marked 100 years on and a Second World War WAAF's grave that had been 'lost'.